On Monday, Mr Gilani is also due to meet the leader of another major opposition party, the PML-Q.

BBC: Pakistan PM Gilani in crisis talks with opposition

PML-Q and its allies have a majority in all but one of the assemblies, his re-election ought to be assured.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan's politics

PML-Q are said to have asked Mr Sharif for election tickets.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan's politics

PML-Q, he would have the required two-thirds majority.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan's politics

Musharraf's party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q), conceded defeat and the main opposition parties -- PPP and Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) - together emerged with a majority in the 342-member lower house of the National Assembly (NA).

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Pakistan takes important step